Being a mother is tough. In fact, it’s one of the toughest jobs out there. No matter how many times anyone every tells you that though, you won’t understand it until you really do have children of your own. It’s just one of those things in life that you have to experience for yourself.
And the road that paves the path to becoming a good mother is a rocky one that demands much more than just the physical aptitude; mental strength is just as, if not even more important to your success.
I like to compare motherhood to training for the Olympics because, in reality you are indeed preparing for one of the biggest events or journeys in your life…and no one seems to tell you that.
Sure you hear about the general preparatory work that is required, such as changing diapers, doing extra laundry, cooking and cleaning etc., but what about that positive attitude and encouraging voice you need to keep at it when things aren’t going well?
How do you get the energy to stay alert at 3AM while changing diapers or put on a happy face those times when no one is there to help you bathe or feed the little one? How do you stay calm when all the signs of a hungry baby are there but baby rejects the bottle or breast and continues to fuss? How do you keep your cool when you do everything that’s worked before, but baby still cries?
These are scenarios all mothers face at one time or another. And like an Olympian who must think positive, stay focused and persevere in their sport, mothers too must get their mentality in order to be successful.
It’s something that isn’t talked about much, but it’s something that you should know as a new mother.
Being a mother is one of the toughest events I’ve prepared for in my life; I think it’s much more difficult than any sport or event I’ve ever experienced in fact. At times I’ve felt I wouldn’t make it with less than 4 hours of sleep at night, one and a half meals a day and piles of dirty laundry and diapers to clean…but I have.
I’ve kept at it and tried to see the light at the end of the tunnel despite not always being successful at first. Like a true athlete that becomes better with each practice and learns to have faith in his/her own abilities, I too have learned the mental strength required in preparing for the biggest journey of my life!
Ana, a mom to three rambunctious little boys, has supported hundreds of thousands of women throughout their pregnancy and motherhood journey since 2012 as a blogger and maternal health advocate at MommysBundle.com.
Yes, very tough. As much as I so love my little one, I truly love nap time. My biggest problem is that I feel that all of my brainpower has gone to her, and I have nothing left. This sounds silly, but I don’t feel very smart even though my Masters degree is still in my back pocket…. :sign:
Visiting from SITS, have a great weekend!
Mary
Thanks for visiting Mary! I know what you mean about brain power…I feel like I have very little of it left sometimes. So much energy goes into the little one that we forget to take care of ourselves sometimes.
Seriously! I remember with my first pregnancy being so surprised at the energy required just to make it through a day. I felt like I had run 10 miles in heels every day. And then after the baby came, I thought, “There’s no rational explanation for how I’m getting through this. I should be dead by now.” Haha. Thankfully, that hardcore “training” period isn’t forever and it does get easier–at least on the physical end. But then with a four year old and a two year old I feel like I’m getting pulled in every emotional and mental way possible. Some days I’d rather take the SAT’s over again instead of trying to argue with my daughter. Sigh..
Stopping by from SITS!
Good to know it gets easier on the physical end at least! 🙂 Oh the joys of parenting!
i’d like to tell you it gets easier as they get older, but i’m not sure that’s true. you do finally get to sleep through the night on a regular basis. but it’s still hard. it’s just hard in different ways. the good news is that it is totally 100% worth it. beyond description.
I know it won’t get much easier, but I’m glad there is hope :). Thanks for stopping by Susan!
I’ve just had a 2nd baby recently, and I can tell you, the newborn-ness second time round, is much easier. I don’t think I enjoyed the babyhood of my first child that much because it was so hard and I was freaking out, but this time round, I’m not. I’m taking it one day at a time and just loving it all, diaper changing and all.
Hang on in there!
Good to know “newbornness” is much better with the next one! I’ll keep that in mind ;). I agree that sometimes it is hard to enjoy the time with baby because of all the stress. Good reminder to not take anything for granted!
Love the comparision, and well put! I had no idea what I was really in for, and things still surprise me and I know they will continue.
Thank you! 🙂 I really do think it’s one of the toughest “sports” to master!
Thanks for visiting Kristina!
Motherhood is definitely the biggest job i have ever had. i have 3 kids now. and im exhausted. im in love, yet exhausted and even at 8,6 and 3…they are all still waking me up in the middle of the night crawling in bed with me, etc. every stage has its ups and downs. and i hear that it doesnt get easier, just different. I can see that already just going from “baby” to “toddler” to “kid”… we all deserve hi-fives or something, huh? =)
stopping by and following from the mommy mixer blog hop =)
Hi, you’re so right about the encouragement and positive attitude! I do get that from my family and lately, I’m loving posts like these that show that it can be tough, while being encouraging!
Visiting from the Mommy Brain Mixer and following you!
It’s very similar training, thankfully there’s no medals ;o)
Thanks for linking up with the Mommy Brain Mixer
Yes, yes and oh yes! So much is mental when you’re a first time mom. I had some great friends who really did “tell it like it is” but then I had TWINS! It was insane (and still is) but totally worth it even if I have to remind myself of that multiple times a day 🙂
Visiting from SITS – enjoy your day in the spotlight.
Motherhood is definitely a tough job and I can’t say it gets easier as they get older. I guess it gets easier in some ways and harder in others. It is definitely the most rewarding job ever though! Happy SITS Day!
Hi there! I couldn’t agree more about likening motherhood to a sport. It’s tough work! Happy SITS Day!
Hi Ana, I love your comparison to the Olympics as mom in training. Especially given the Winter Olympics coming up in less than 1 month – it makes the parallel all the more real. Visiting via SITS.
Happy SITS day! yes – it’s like training for the Olympics for 18+ years and each stage is like a new event to train for! I have an 18 yr old and 15 yr old. Wish I could say it gets easier – it doesn’t – it just keeps changing. Always ultimately a joy but never ever easy. I’ve worked full time outside the home and inside it – Parenting is the hardest activity for sure. But lean on your hubby, friends, and family for support – there are so many of us willing to lend a hand or an ear. It does take a village:-)
Your son is adorable – looks like a bundle of fun and love 🙂
Fun and fulfilling, they said. LOL It is but it sure is tough work!
Late visit from the SITS. Have a great day!